The BJP high command is unhappy with Anant Kumar Hegde calling Mahatma Gandhi's freedom movement a 'Drama'. The BJP top leadership has asked Hegde to apologize unconditionally. Hegde gave a disputed statement on Mahatma Gandhi and said that under his leadership the freedom struggle was a "Drama". BJP leaders did not stop here, he further said why such people are called 'Mahatma' in India. BJP has already distanced itself from this statement.

Addressing a public meeting in Bengaluru, Hegde said that none of these so-called leaders had been beaten up by the police even once. His freedom movement was a big drama. These leaders staged this with the consent of the British. This was not a real fight.

Hegde has been criticized after this. Congress leader BK Hariprasad on Monday condemned BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde's remarks on Mahatma Gandhi and called him the 'son' of Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse. The Trinamool Congress also condemned Hegde's statement. Party leader Saugata Roy said that people like Anant Hegde are embarrassing the country. He said, 'We are supporters of Gandhi and he (BJP) is a supporter of Nathuram Godse. People of this country should see how BJP MP insults the father of the nation.'